Surround Sound Speaker Setup

Setting Up Your Speakers for Surround Sound

You'll get the best sound from your home theater when you find the optimum locations for your speakers. Our guide will get you started, with basic placement information, room considerations, and other tips.

Speaker Configurations

Audio accounts for 50 percent of the cinema experience, and a surround sound system can create a complete audio environment around you.

A good 5.1-channel system will give you a full surround sound experience. Most DVD and Blu-ray™ media, some Super Audio CDs (SACDs), broadcast TV, and many streaming sources are in 5.1-channel format.

Going to 7.1 channels improves the directionality of sound effects and adds to the audio ambience of 3D. Some Blu-ray Disc™ and premium streaming sources feature 7.1. (They will sound fine on a 5.1 system, too.)

A 9.1-channel system adds front height speakers to take advantage of Dolby Pro Logic® IIz, which derives height information from the signal.

The configurations noted in this guide are illustrative. Dolby recommends that any overhead speaker installation be performed by professional installers with experience in installing overhead speakers.